Plevris: 'We are prepared for the Omicron variant'
"We are prepared for the Omicron variant," Health Minister Thanos Plevris said in an interview with Skai radio on Monday, while adding that vaccination rates in the country were now returning to the same levels as last March.
"We are monitoring the mutation and we expect to have a better assessment in 10-15 days. We have taken precautions. You understand that when a mutation is spreading in various countries, we are on alert. The scientific community is investigating exactly what the potential of this mutation is, in terms of transmissibility, morbidity and vaccination coverage," Plevris said.
He stressed that vaccination was now essential and said it was important that Greece was now moving at the pace of the previous March and in terms of appointments made and daily vaccinations performed. "Many of our fellow citizens are getting the third dose, while many have been convinced to get the first dose as well," the minister said, adding that about half a million people have either made an appointment or gotten vaccinated with a first dose of the vaccine, while more than one million have booked or received a booster shot.
